What field do you plan to study for your eventual masters?
What field do you want your second bachelor’s to be in? I ask this because a particular program can be among the elite, even if the school isn’t. For example, Ceramics at Alfred University in upstate New York is one of the top two or three programs in the country, even if the university isn’t widely known outside of its region. There are many other examples of this nationally. So it makes more sense to look at the reputation of the program IMO, rather than the university, even at an undergraduate level.
Also, how different is the field from your earlier degree? I know someone who got a music degree from a US top-20 university, taught for a few years, and then started afresh at a highly regarded public university and did a 4-year bachelors in engineering.
You might get more useful advice, and a little less “attitude,” from those responding to your post if you are more clear about what field you are pursuing, and the specific outcome you are seeking.
“Its just my desire to go to a top 20 for my undergrad and a top 20 ( could be the same, could be different) for my grad. That’s all.”
Why? What magic do you think occurs in the top 20 that doesn’t occur a few notches down?
Wait, don’t tell me - in your homeland, they idolize the top 20 US colleges, so you assume everyone in the US is the same way too?
To “pizzagirl”, no, my home country doesn’t give a damn about top 20; I myself developed this desire in the years living in U.S for top 20, otherwise why do I even bother to get another Bachelor’s? No Americans I know seem to share the same desire, but I desire, nonetheless, non-apologetically.
To “midwestdad3”, thank you for your intelligent response. I will definitely look into my major’s ranking among schools. Yes, you are right, my intended major is completely different than my first. I cannot divulge more on my majors here, as the posts are too public and non-erasable. But I will follow the example you gave me and do some research.
To “intparent”, thank you for your earlier and current replies. My subsequent posts answered your questions, so let me not waste your time. You have good intentions, and you know my intentions come from a good place also: study a different major, in a different language, in a different country, in a top school, pay for it, excel at it, etc. I can only hope they change the rules in the future about us 2nd Bachelor applicants.
You are missing my point. Every college has its own rules. And it does depend on your major. No one cares what country you came from, but if you tell us the majors, we may be able to make concrete suggestions. Also, some masters programs do not require the same undergrad major, it depends. The collective knowledge of CC can help you, but you have to give enough information. No one is going to ID you from this information.
Finally, I do not know what is magical about “top 20” – what if #24 in this year’s ranking could meet your need – would you not do it? Or what if an LAC could? Or what if a college was in the top 20 last year, but dropped out this year – it no longer would work for you? Or what if the university is ranked #40, but is particularly well regarded in your planned major? Or what if it is outside the U.S. News top 20, but made the top 20 in the Forbes ranking? Just trying to point out that the arbitrary cutoff based on perceived prestige is limiting in a fairly ridiculous way.
I think “top-20” is often used as shorthand for the Ivies plus Stanford, Duke, Hopkins, CMU, MIT, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Michigan etc. As many have said on other threads there are as many as 30 or 40 schools in “the top 20.”
While there may not be anything “magical” about these universities their undergrad degrees carry a certain cachet and heaven knows tons of HS students on CC are trying to get into these schools. So I don’t think OP is necessarily being arbitrary. He’s just using shorthand.
Rankings are a touchy subject. USNWR is the holy grail for many high school students, but most people who have been out in the world for a while look beyond that. Degrees from schools such as RISD, Parsons, Cooper Union, Belmont or Alfred can be way more valuable than Harvard depending upon what you plan to do.
It is also true that it is much easier to get into Harvard for many masters programs than it is as an undergrad. But that may not be an option for OP if he is making a dramatic change, say from art history to mechanical engineering. So, IMO, his questions are fair and I don’t think he should be criticized for asking them.
And my suggestions to OP are these: First, yes, you must report previous university studies and degrees, no matter where in the world. But don’t try to slide under the radar. An astute admissions person will figure out pretty quickly that you must have been doing something for the three or four years from age 18 to 21, and if you don’t acknowledge you were at uni your only alternative is to lie, which you absolutely don’t want to do.
Second, there are plenty of rigorous, prestigious universities that will be happy to have you back as an undergrad, particularly if you are able to be full pay. Just make your list, then cross off the ones that won’t admit people who already hold a bachelor’s, and apply to those left on your list that do. Half a day on a computer will tell you what you need to know. Good luck. I think you will find what you need. As I said previously, I know someone well who made such a switch and has had an outstanding career.
Im confused as to why you want to seek a bachelors degree at an elite college where you will have to stay in a dorm and live on campus. You’re gonna stick out like a sore thumb. What are you, 25, 26? Do you really think you’re gonna fit in with a bunch of teenagers and 20-22 year olds? It’s going to be REALLY weird and you won’t enjoy it. You should just be an adult, go to grad school, oh and not commit fraud.
He has the money to pay for a 2nd degree. He’s not going to stay in an undergrad dorm when he can stay in an apartment or house.
I think the OP assumes they can’t go straight into grad school. He won’t tell us the majors, but for example, an undergrad English major isn’t going to be accepted into a Physics graduate school program. If he gave us the majors, people might be able to make suggestions…
@“aunt bea” Quite a few top 20 school require students to live on campus.
I have to believe the OP may be able to be accepted as a transfer student and bring some credits over IF he can find a school to take him. I think if he loosens up his criteria a bit on this top school nonsense, he may be able to find a place that is still very reputable and can get him to his grad school goal.
@Calicash : if, IF, they let him in. And, many of the top 20 have campus apartments for the right price. My son’s school does.
Some schools are specific that they won’t accept students for a second bachelors. But we can’t help the OP identify options without more details…
The “must live in dorm” requirement is typically waived if the student is 24 or older.
OP is a bit flexible: interested in CGS at Columbia for instance - probably his best chance, too.
If the OP has been in the US for more than 10 years, and completed the first undergraduate degree before coming here, I would estimate the OP at the very least to be in his or her mid 30’s.
Some colleges and universities will allow non-traditional aged undergrads to live in grad student housing. If on campus housing would be a necessity or preference for this student, that would be worth asking about.